GOLF STUDY GUIDE

Golf History: The game of golf as it is played today originated in Scotland in the
early fourteenth century. The first rules of golf were written in 1754 at St. Andrews
Golf Club in Scotland. The first golf club in the United States, St. Andrews of
Yonkers, New York, was founded in 1888. The USGA (United States Golf Association)
was established in 1894 to govern the game in the U. S. Today there are an
estimated 23 million golfers in America alone.
Golf Courses: Regulation golf is played on a course consisting of 18 different holes.
Each hole has a tee box, fairway, and a green and a par rating of 3, 4, or 5. Varying
combinations of these holes in any order on any course give it an overall par rating
in the upper 60s to low 70s (most commonly 69-72) for all 18 holes. Par is
determined by the length and design of a hole and is always the number of shots it
should take a golfer to get to the green plus two putts on the green to put the ball in
the cup. The goal of every golfer is to try and take as few shots as possible on each
hole meaning that in golf the low score wins.
Golf Clubs: The rules of golf allow a player to carry a maximum of 14 clubs in their
golf bag during any competition. A traditional full set of golf clubs includes three or
four woods, nine or ten irons (including wedges), and a putter. A general rule to
remember about clubs is as the number increases, the loft increases. The lower
number woods/irons (1-5) are for distance and the higher number clubs (6-9, &
wedges) are for shorter, but more accurate shots. The putter (used on the greens) is
the club that is essential to all golfers. Golf clubs are also made out of different
materials (metal, wood, & graphite), in different styles (mens & womens), and
different sizes (for taller or shorter/ stronger or weaker players).
Golf Etiquette: It is important to follow a correct code of behavior toward other
players and the course itself. This should include but is not limited to the following
points: 1. Stand a safe distance behind and away from a golfer being careful to
remain motionless and quiet so as to not distract them while they are swinging. 2.
Do not hit until the group in front of you is out of range. Never underestimate your
hitting limits. A golf ball travels with tremendous speed and can inflict severe injury.
Should your ball go in the direction of other golfers you should shout the warning
cry Fore. 3. Let faster groups of four players play through. 4. Avoid a lost ball by
watching it throughout its flight. All golfers in your group should assist in the search.
Never look for a ball for more than 5 minutes. 5. Before leaving a sand trap (bunker)
rake to smooth out footprints and club marks. 6. Replace and press down any loose
turf (divots). 7. Avoid dropping clubs or the flagstick on the green. 8. Once on the
green do not step on the other golfers putting lines heel and spike marks can
produce minor irregularities in the surface. 9. Because it is the safest order of play,
the golfer farthest from the hole plays first 10.The golfer with the least number of
strokes on the previous hole generally tees off first on the following hole (has
Honors).
SEE BACK FOR GLOSSARY OF GOLF TERMS

Glossary of Golf Terms:

Addressing the ball: taking a stance before taking a swing
Ball marker: a small coin or facsimile used to spot a ball position on the green
Birdie: a score of one stroke under par on a single hole
Bogey: a score of one stroke over par on a single hole Bunker a hazard, often a
depression and usually a sand trap.
Divot: a piece of turf that is displaced by a players club during a swing
Eagle: a score of two strokes under par on a single hole
Fairway: the closely mown route of play between the teeing area and the putting
green
Flagstick: a movable pole with a flag at the top that is centered in the hole on the
green to indicate its location. It is also called a pin
Fore: a warning cry to any person in the way of play that might be hit by a golf ball
in flight
Green: the putting surface
Grip: the part of the club that you hold and the manner in which you hold it (either
overlapping, interlocking, or ten finger grips)
Hook: a stroke made by a right-handed player which curves to the left of the target
(to the right of the target for a left-handed player)
Rough: areas of hazards or long grass adjacent to the fairway
Slice: a stroke made by a right-handed player which curves the ball to the right of
the target (to the left of the target for a left-handed player)
Whiff: when a player swings and misses the ball entirely